Partnership to Copromote PET Perfusion Agent for Coronary Artery Disease Imaging

Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. (Princeton, NJ, USA), the US-based subsidiary of Bracco Imaging SpA (Milan, Italy) and part of the Bracco Group, and Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc. (Billerica, MA USA), both worldwide leaders in diagnostic imaging, reported that the companies have entered into an agreement for Lantheus to copromote Bracco's CardioGen-82 (Rubidium Rb 82 Generator), a myocardial perfusion positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent.

CardioGen-82is the only generator-based PET perfusion agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and reimbursed for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). CardioGen-82 was approved by the FDA in 1989 and has been used in hundreds of thousands of patients since then. CardioGen-82 is approved for use in distinguishing normal from abnormal myocardium in patients with suspected myocardial infarction. CardioGen-82 PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) technology has experienced double digit year-over-year growth since 2003. It is expected that this agreement will further accelerate the rapid expansion of this modality.

"In seeking a partner to help us maximize the availability of CardioGen-82 to physicians whose patients may benefit from this PET imaging agent, we sought a company with vast experience in the myocardial perfusion imaging market and an extensive and knowledgeable sales force,” said Carlo Medici, president and CEO of Bracco Diagnostics Inc. "Lantheus Medical Imaging stood out as a company extremely well-suited for a partnership of this kind and we expect that this collaboration will quickly increase access to CardioGen-82.”

"This copromotion agreement is a strategic fit for Lantheus and demonstrates our continued commitment to advancing the field of diagnostic imaging through our unparalleled distribution network, superior customer service, and tremendous sales and medical affairs field organization,” said Don Kiepert, president and CEO of Lantheus Medical Imaging. "As we look toward the future of the nuclear cardiology market, we anticipate that PET will play an increasingly important role in the management of patients with CAD [coronary artery disease].”

Bracco Imaging SpA is a world-leading company in the diagnostic imaging business. Bracco Imaging develops, manufactures, and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions that meet medical needs and facilitate clinical solutions.

Lantheus Medical Imaging is involved in discovering, developing, and marketing innovative medical imaging agents that provides a platform from which to bring forward breakthrough new tools for the diagnosis and management of disease.

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